Just two lanes away

This blog is neither funny or fabricated in any way. I am not even sure if this is okay to blog about. I think it is necessary because I can't sleep and I pray that people could learn from this lesson. As if I wasn't aware, it was drilled into me this summer just how precious life is. I hit an Elk coming home from camping in Arizona this summer, actually a little less than 2 weeks ago. I will blog about that later, it is just important to know that it could have been very serious. Thank God, myself, my four close friends and the elk were all 100% healthy. The elk's health rating is an estimate but I am sure she is doing well by now. My car is actually just fine considering the circumstances. So that was a close call. The rest of this blog is completely dedicated to strangers......
Tonight I was driving my sister and two guy friends home from down town Denver. It was about 2 am. A guy in the car with us was giving me directions, he told me to turn on a street, I signaled changed lanes and was getting ready to turn. After I changed lanes and approached the intersection, he said "Oh, no not this street". I said oh well I am turning here. I came to a stop at the intersection and saw a group of people crossing the street in front of my car. That would have been okay except the light was green, the cars in the lanes next to me were going....
The next thing I knew I heard brakes squealing and the unforgettable sound of two pedestrians being hit by a Honda. A car much like mine, in a lane I would have been in, if not for poor directions. We threw my car in park and dialed the police. I witnessed the friends of those two people that were struck by the car sobbing and trying to keep their friends conscious I imagine. I watched a helpless friend scream for an ambulance for his friend. The fire trucks, the ambulances, the police cars, the stretchers, the tears, the people, the driver's sobriety test, the crime scene tape, the horrible reality of the situation, I witnessed. The cops kept apologizing for keeping us waiting and thanking us for being coherent witnesses. I couldn't care less how long I stood there, my life had not been altered in the most earth shattering way that others had. In a blink of an eye, someone lost their life, someone is in serious condition and the driver's life will undoubtedly be altered significantly. Please if you have ever thought of driving home after just a few drinks, don't . If you have been drinking and people run in front of your car, it is your fault. The police officer told us that tonight as we waited for the detective.
I pray for the people and their families and the way their lives will be changed forever. I haven't cried yet, I feel so numb. Yet, I feel so selfishly thankful that I am alive and that I had bad directions and was not driving through that intersection.
I was feeling pretty sorry for myself earlier today because after the elk incident, I also had a fender bender in a parking lot today. A lady and I were backing out of parking spots and didn't see each other (maybe because my side view mirror was knocked off by the elk). I was upset about my insurance rates. I can't even fathom the pain and agony the driver of another Honda just two lanes away feels at this moment. My prayers go out to that driver and the families of the victims.
As I drove home I saw a sign outside a church on my street it said "Each sunrise is a gift from God". It made me realize that we are not entitled to another day tomorrow just because we have things to do and people we love. Everyday is a gift and we certainly do not know how long our gift will last. Make the most of each moment, drive sober, wear your seatbelt, look both ways and know that I love you.